Gregory Bird had three hits, including two doubles, and two RBI for the RiverDogs (39-28).

The rubber game of the five-game series is today.

Golf

Parel leads on Web.com Tour

In Wichita, Kan., Augusta’s Scott Parel has put his struggles behind him through 54 holes this week at the Web.com’s Air Castle Classic.

Parel, who has missed the cut in seven of his 10 starts on the tour, shot 3-under-par 67 on Saturday to take one-shot lead at Crestview Country Club.

The former Aquinas golfer, whose best finish this season on the tour is a tie for 34th place, is at 11-under 202 after opening with 69-66. He has struck for 16 birdies and two eagles this week against seven bogeys.

Steve Wheatcroft (68) is one shot behind Parel. Seven players, including Paul Claxton, who had 63, are two shots back.

Aiken’s Kevin Kisner had 70 and tied for 32nd place at 209.

• In Saluda, S.C., two former area club pros are out in front in their respective divisions in this week’s Regions Bank Amateur Series event at Persimmon Hill Golf Club.

Steve Foss is tied for the lead in the regular division and Tommy Carpenter has the lead in the senior division in the North Augusta Exchange Club/Persimmon Hill Classic.

Both Foss and Carpenter are former Midland Valley Country Club head pros who have regained their amateur status.

On Saturday, Foss shot 1-over-par 73 to share the regular division lead with 2012 player of the year and current points leader Jeff Pope, who has won five of his past eight stars. Harold Bishop shot 74.

In the senior division, Carpenter shot 69. He has a two-shot lead over George Bullard. Jeff Roberts is three back.

• In Saint-Omer, France, Simon Thornton of Ireland shot 6-under-par 65 to share a one-stroke lead with Tjaart Van der Walt of South Africa and Baptiste Chapellan of France after the third round of the European Tour’s Najeti Hotels Open.

College Baseball

Bulldogs slip by Beavers in CWS

In Omaha, Neb., Mississippi State took the lead on Wes Rea’s two-run double in the eighth inning and closer Jonathan Holder turned back two threats in the Bulldogs’ 5-4 victory over Oregon State in the opening game of the College World Series.

The Bulldogs (49-18) advanced to a Monday game against Indiana or Louisville. The Beavers (50-12), the No. 3 national seed, are one loss from elimination.

Soccer

Brazil rolls past Japan in opener

In Brasilia, Brazil, Neymar started to live up to Brazil’s huge expectations only three minutes into the Confederations Cup, scoring an early goal to help Brazil beat Japan 3-0 in the opening match of the tournament.

The win puts Brazil at the top of Group A with three points. Italy and Mexico will play in the other group match today.

Tennis

Murray, Cilic to meet in the final

In London, top-seeded Andy Murray and defending champion Marin Cilic will play in the final at Queen’s Club after both earned three-set victories.

Murray, the champion in 2009 and 2011, rallied to defeat fourth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a repeat of their 2011 final.

The fifth-seeded Cilic of Croatia held off former four-time winner Lleyton Hewitt 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

• In Birmingham, England, Croatian teenager Donna Vekic reached her second career WTA final when she beat 2009 champion Magdalena Rybarikova 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-3 in the Aegon Classic.

In the final today, she’ll face Daniela Hantuchova, who defeated Alison Riske of the United States 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in the other semifinal.